Reports of Insect or Mosquito Bites in Project Wolbachia Areas

4 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether there has been an increasing number of feedback received on insect or mosquito bites in areas where Project Wolbachia was introduced despite that these male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes do not bite; and (b) whether the Ministry will provide resources to residents or neighbourhoods experiencing such a situation to address these feedback.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment): Sir, at the start of Wolbachia-Aedes releases in new areas, NEA typically receives an increased number of feedback relating to mosquitoes. While the male mosquitoes released do not bite, their increased presence can be noticeable to residents. The increase in feedback is however temporary as residents become accustomed to the programme.

NEA's data shows that after a few months of releases, the population of the wild-type Aedes aegypti mosquito falls to very low levels, decreasing by up to 98%. Bites from these mosquitoes are correspondingly significantly reduced. This is evident in the reduction of dengue cases by up to 70% observed in study sites with at least one year of releases. However, as Wolbachia-Aedes technology does not affect other species of mosquitoes, residents may still experience some bites from such mosquitoes.

NEA regularly engages residents on Project Wolbachia at the study sites. These communication and outreach activities are done prior to releases and include door-to-door distribution of publicity materials, display of posters and banners at high footfall areas and sharing of information via traditional and social media platforms. NEA also engages establishments such as childcare centres and schools within the release sites.

Source reduction remains the key strategy to control the populations of all types of mosquitoes. NEA will continue to work with the community and other stakeholders in carrying out mosquito control measures, including the regular practice of the Mozzie Wipeout B-L-O-C-K steps. Residents can also take the "Spray, Apply, Wear (S-A-W)" actions to prevent mosquito bites.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Ms Yeo Wan Ling.

Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Pasir Ris-Punggol): Thank you. The NEA started Project Wolbachia in Punggol and some residents have given feedback on the increased number of bites, and according to even one of the residents, leading to skin sensitivity and rashes. One preschool administrator, who was unaware of the start of the project, had reported that the school suddenly saw swarms of mosquitoes, thereby leading to some degree of fear and alarm with the children.

Will NEA, besides traditional sources of media banners and all that, consider also having ground walkabouts and educational talks directly to homes and community areas such as malls, schools and coffee shops to promote and perhaps to assuage the initial alarm on the rollout of Project Wolbachia?

Mr Baey Yam Keng: Mr Deputy Speaker, as mentioned in the reply, prior to release, NEA does engage the community. Specific to the Punggol site, prior to release on 30 August, there was door-to-door distribution of letters to residents and establishments at HDB blocks, display of banners, posters at lift lobbies, to inform residents of the release schedule as well as emails to schools, childcare centres and condominiums.

We take the Member's feedback that, on top of these channels, we should explore more targeted, direct engagement, including door-to-door, so that this will increase the community's awareness, understanding, buy-in and support of the Project Wolbachia. This is important so that we can reduce the number of dengue infections and potentially, fatalities. We thank the Member for her suggestion and NEA will work closely with her on such outreach.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Louis Chua.

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Like Member Ms Yeo Wan Ling, I also received similar feedback from some residents on the increasing prevalence of mosquitoes, which I presumed is due to the release of these male Wolbachia mosquitoes. My supplementary question is on how much the Ministry believes in the importance of support from all MPs in the community engagement efforts.

And I ask this because I received an email from NEA earlier in March, in terms of support for the publicity of Project Wolbachia, in terms of the engagement of residents. But while I attended such an online zoom session in March, I thought it was also important to gain a firsthand understanding, hence requested to actually participate in some of these study sites and release activities. But I only learnt last week that these community engagement efforts are conducted only through People's Association (PA) and I was not able to participate.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: NEA works with the community and grassroots to carry out these outreach programmes, as with all the various Government initiatives. In addition to that, particularly for Project Wolbachia, we work directly with the various Town Councils on operational issues, and the Town Councils also maintain the general cleanliness of the estate and to reduce mosquito breeding grounds. We will continue to work on both fronts.